Category: Uncategorized

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Suitcases and Advertising

This post is reprinted from www.smartertravel.com.
When it comes to saving money, budget travelers are known to go to extremes. Maybe that’s why Orion Travel Technology has devised a pretty extreme way to save money on bag fees.
Orion’s new idea may be a game changer. The company is offering to pay your bag fees for you. The catch? Your luggage will become a rolling advertisement for one of their partners.
In exchange for toting company logos around the world with you, Orion will send you two customizable suitcases (one 21″ carry-on and one 29″ bag) and a gift card for $50 that can only be used at the airport ticket counter. The annual membership, which costs $19.99 after the first six months, covers your bag fees for up to six trips a year. To prevent anyone from using the gift card without using the luggage, the card will only work after scanning the UPC code on the branded suitcase.
When you order your suitcases, you’ll have the choice of personalizing the back of the luggage with your favorite movie character or sports team. But this is not the advertisement. The front of the suitcase is left blank for you to stick the easy-to-remove logo skins Orion sends you each time you travel.
Though the program is not scheduled to be implemented until February 2016 and the companies Orion will be working with are not yet clear, this could be an indispensable new service to travelers with very tight budgets. Not only can you save on bag fees, but the bags are also included in the membership, which could be helpful if you’re looking to replace your luggage.
Though it’s impossible to tell how smoothly the system will work once it gets going, it shouldn’t be hard for Orion to find people willing to test it out. There are people out there willing to sell the advertising space on their foreheads, so what’s a few ads on your suitcase compared to saving hundreds on bag fees?
I love the idea. What are your thoughts about doing this? Would you?

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Tell a Story

When you travel, do you take photos? Do they all look the same?

If so…try telling a story with your photos. If you want to showcase your trip to a new restaurant, you might just focus on the food. But, add in some photos of the neighborhood or the landscape. You might add a photo of the flower arrangement sitting by the door.

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Your Bag Took a Different Trip

You’ve checked your bag. It has everything in it you need for your two week stay in France. You land in Paris. And…your bag does not show up.

It turns out the agent accidentally tagged the wrong destination on your bag. It happens.

Next time check to see what the destination is for your bag. The claim check will tell you. It’s just one way to make sure you and your bag arrive in Paris at the same time.

And, don’t pack everything in one bag.

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There’s An App

It seems like everything has an app and you could download a gazillion of them. One you might want to consider is the app of the airline you use most frequently or the airline you flying to Europe. They keep you up to date with real time gate changes, delays, and so much more.

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Don’t Waste Time

I’ve talked…a lot…about packing lists. To me, they’re invaluable.

If you travel a fair amount, also keep your ‘go bag’ of toiletries packed and ready to go. I don’t care whether you jet off to Europe or go to Tahoe for the weekend. Having that already packed and ready saves a bunch of time when packing.

You also have less chance of forgetting to take something important…like an extra set of contact lenses, vitamins, or your favorite travel hair products.

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Airport Lounges…Are They For You?

Many airport lounges still sell day passes. This could be a good thing, if you have a long layover. If you know the layover will be long, look at purchasing the pass online before you go. It will save a bunch of money.
Or, buy a Priority Pass. You have access to 700 airport lounges around the world. Great idea if you travel frequently.
Also, check with your credit card company. They may have access to certain lounges.
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Where the Heck Are We?

When you’re in a new city and aren’t sure exactly where you’re going or where the museum is from the gelato shop, do you wander outside, get out the map, and look at it? If you do, guess what? Everyone knows you’re a tourist.

Maybe you don’t actually have a map but you’re using your phone or other device. Still, you’re trying to find out where to go. And, you’re letting everyone around you know…you’re a tourist.

So, what do you do? You could do several things…

Before you set out, take some time to look at where you’re going and where you want to go. Get a general idea, maybe even remember some street names.

Look at your map or phone while you’re having lunch or a drink…not the middle of the sidewalk.

Get lost…who knows what you might discover.

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Bags…Of All Kinds

These don’t take up much room in your carry on bag or your checked luggage. Yet, they are useful in so many ways.

What are they?

Bags…resealable and reusable. Both kinds come in handy.

Keep the shampoo bottle from leaking, put the wet swimsuit in one, keep everything dry when at the beach, take shopping with you in the US or in Europe, put your dirty shoes in one to keep everything else around them clean, put some snacks in one, use a different one for each child when traveling to keep their things separate from the rest, keep your notes, place any postcard or business card souvenirs, toss the change in one, keep the seashells from getting sand all over everything, toss some tissues or toilet paper in one when going for a hike…the list goes on.

What do you use the bags for when you travel?

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Come to the Mausoleum…

We Are Seeking Submissions For
3rd ANNUAL
MYSTERY WRITERS IN THE MAUSOLEUM
(by lamp oil light inside the park’s 100-year-old mausoleum)
7 pm Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Themes include: Suspense, Who-Dun-It, Supernatural (vampires, goblins, ghosts, etc.)
Sonoma County writers are invited to submit stories for our annual reading. Designed for all ages, this October event is held in our Alaskan Marble Odd Fellows Mausoleum.
This event has grown each year. Last year’s attendance was standing room only and included work submitted my members of the Redwood Writers and Nor Cal Sisters in Crime.
Guidelines:
  • Stories should take between 6-10 minutes to read aloud.
  • If an excerpt of larger body of work, it must be able to stand alone.
  • Submit as word document or pdf by September 30, 2015 to Folk@FolkHeartPress.com .
  • Selected writers will be notified by October 3, 21015.
  • If selected please be prepared to provide a jpeg photo and bio for promotional purposes.
There will be an intermission and authors will have an opportunity to sell their books in the park’s Rose Corridor.
Please note that because the mausoleum has no electricity, it can be chilly. We advise you to dress warmly.
This evening is a collaboration with FolkHeart Press.